Lesson One A Servant s Prayer - PDF Free Download

Lesson One A Servant s Prayer Nehemiah 1 Men s Inductive Study The Rebuilt Life Studies in the Book of Nehemiah Introduction: The book of Nehemiah begins with the writer himself (Nehemiah) describing who he is, where he is and what it is that concerns him. In light of the terrible news Nehemiah had learned, regarding God s people, he immediately responded with a powerful prayer for God s help. Nehemiah is specific in his plea to God at this time of great need. As we approach this chapter discipline yourself to look for the three elements of inductive learning. How does Nehemiah approach God in his prayer and what is he asking for in this opening prayer? What can be learned from this passage about the promises God gives to His people in difficult situations? Are there lessons that you can glean from the response of Nehemiah and his subsequent prayer? How should each of us go before God in times of trial and despair? Nehemiah is a typology of Jesus and the reader must keep this in mind as the study progresses. Outside of Jesus we would need to look far and wide for another person in the pages of Scripture that would be more respected than this man. Give careful consideration to this first lesson in Nehemiah. It will be rewarding to you as we begin next week s lesson. God has laid down an excellent foundation to begin this book so let s ask the Holy Spirit for His guidance and dig in. Inductively Speaking: Your studies in Nehemiah will have the greatest impact when you take particular care in observing everything you can about the words that are written before you. This is the time to humbly go before the Lord asking Him to give you insight to the verse or passage at hand. God says that every jot and tittle is important. Handle with care when completing your observation. Look for the main theme of the passage. Surround it with supporting facts before you attempt to interpret the lesson God had for the people in that day. Think as a detective would think: who, what, where, when and how. Review the instruction guide for each section of study. One more thing, don t forget to give God the glory for what He will reveal to you this week. Memory Verse: Nehemiah 1:8b If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; 1

Day One Text: Begin this week s lesson by reading the passage. Hint: Read the passage repeatedly, prayerfully, thoughtfully, meditatively and patiently. Nehemiah 1 1. The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. It came to pass in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the citadel, 2 that Hanani one of my brethren came with men from Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, "The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire." 4 So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5 And I said: "I pray, LORD God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments, 6 please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father's house and I have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses. 8 Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying,'if you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; 9 but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.' 10 Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand. 11 O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man." For I was the king's cupbearer. NKJV Day Two 1. Observation - Finding the literal facts or most obvious details of the passage. Hint: Begin observation by asking the questions who, what, where, when, why, and how. 2

Observations Continued: 3

Day Three II. Interpretation - Discovering the lessons or meaning of God's instruction to His people. Hint Try to place yourself with these people, in their circumstances, at this time of Bible history. 4

Day Four III. Application - Applying the lessons and meaning of God's instructions to His people. Hint: Apply the lesson or lessons you found in the interpretation section in the form of a question. 5

Day Five Word Studies: In this portion of the lesson we will take a closer look at one or two key words in the chapter. You will need to have your tools or resources at hand. (Such as: more than one Bible translation, a dictionary or Bible dictionary, concordance, atlas, and encyclopedia) If you don t have all of these, simply use what you do have to enrich your learning, To do some digging on your own; start with your dictionary (or Bible dictionary) and then look up the references to add to your understanding. If you have additional resources, you may want to keep digging. (You may want to make notes in the Notes and Insights section.) After you ve completed the investigative process, write a definition in your own words. Your investigation in today s lesson will lay the groundwork for deeper discoveries in subsequent lessons, so be as thorough as you can. Survivor (1:3) And they said to me, "The survivors (remnant) who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire. Dictionary definition: What does the Bible have to say? Isaiah 10:21 Jeremiah 23:3 Write your own definition: Distress (1:3) And they said to me, "The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress (affliction) and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire. Dictionary definition: What does the Bible have to say? 2Kings 14:26 Psalm 34:19 Write your own definition: 6

Day Six Summation Sentence: A simple personal statement about what God has shown you from this passage. Notes & Insights: Prayer Request: 7